Bulldogs Run Away with Winston County Yellow Jackets

DORA — The Dora Bulldogs scored 43 first-half points en route to a 49-21 victory over the Winston County Yellow Jackets on Friday night at Horace Roberts Stadium in Dora.

Dora totalled 362 rushing yards for the contest, led by Caleb Danner’s six carries for 141 yards and four touchdowns — all of which came in the first quarter. Achilya Dixon topped the century mark with 102 yards on six carries with a touchdown. Marcell Davis had 64 yards on five runs with a touchdown. Ethan Moore led the Winston County offense with 9 of 18 passing for 138 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Dora head coach Bart Lockhart praised the effort of his offensive line and running back corps, while highlighting areas of concern his team needs to work on. “We challenged our guys as we haven’t came out this season and played a hard and fast first half. It’s what we talked about and what we did tonight. Our line and backs played great in the first half and it let us get some other guys in for quality reps in the second half,” Lockhart said. “In the second half, we did see some corrections that we’ll need to make and we still got a ways to go, but I’m really pleased with the way we came out and started the game. All in all, it was a good night.” Danner wasted little time finding the endzone, running 28 yards on the second series of the game to give Dora the 6-0 edge after a failed two-point conversion. After holding the Yellow Jackets to a punt on the ensuing possession, Danner struck again on a 78-yard run to pull the Bulldogs further ahead, 12-0, after the extra point kicked was blocked. A blocked punt by Dixon set up Dora at the Winston County 10-yard line on the next series. Three plays later, Danner took the ball in from two-yards out, leaving the Bulldogs in command 19-0 after Jack Spradlin connected on the extra point kick. A good defensive stand by the Bulldogs and a short punt by the Yellow Jackets gave Dora good field possession at the Winston Count 36-yard line. Danner covered the 36 yards on one run for the touchdown and a 26-0 lead after Spradlin’s extra point. An interception by Zack Clayton of Winston County’s Moore led to a three-play, 50-yard drive to begin the second quarter. Dixon ran 37 yards for the touchdown, combined with the Spradlin extra point, for a 33-0 Dora lead. With the Bulldog defense pushing the Yellow Jackets back on the ensuing drive, Dora’s Blaine Neill forced a fumble from Winston County’s Moore, which was recovered by Chance Thompson and returned 23 yards for the score.Spradlin connected on the extra point, giving Dora control 40-0. Spradlin ended the first half scoring with a 27-yard field goal, with the Bulldogs heading to the break up 43-0. The Yellow Jackets (1-4) scored their first touchdown of the game to begin the second half with a seven-play, 80-yard drive. Moore connected with Isiah Mercer on a 45-yard touchdown strike to cut Dora’s lead to 43-7. Winston County ended the third quarter with a 13-play, 95-yard drive, with Justin Richie scoring on a one-yard run — with the Bulldogs still out front, 43-14. Dora’s final score came late in the fourth quarter on a 16-yard run by Davidson for a 49-14 lead after a missed extra point kick. Richie ran the ball in from 10 yards out in the final minute of regulation for the 49-21 final. Dora (4-1) resumes Class 4A, Region 6 play next week when they battle archrival Cordova. Winston County hosts Class 2A, Region 7 rival Tarrant.